Malinin, 21, scored a 156.33 during the Friday, Feb. 13, free skate. Combined with his first place score of 108.16 from the short program, his final score placed him eighth overall. 24 skaters competed in the men’s free skate compared to 29 who participated in the short program.

The Men's Free Skate Final takes place on Sunday and concludesthe Team Event in the 2026 Winter Olympics. The United States enters the day with a lead in the Team Event standings but under greater pressure to perform up to expectations in pursuit of a gold medal.

In his free skate voiceover, Ilia Malinin tells us to, "Embrace the storm." Our youth athletes do better when we do, too.